NYCFC Captain David Villa Extends Stay to 2018; Throws Out First Pitch at Yankees Game

Mar 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC forward David Villa (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against the D.C. United during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

David Villa will aim to continue his successful spell at NYCFC after he recently put pen to paper on a new deal.

New York City FC have announced that star striker and club captain David Villa has signed renewed his contract in an agreement to remain with the franchise until the end of the 2018 MLS season.

David Villa became the club’s first-ever player in June 2014 and took up the position of club captain shortly afterward.

Since he made his debut, Villa has established himself as the club’s most important player as well and to many, the best player in the MLS.

He notched eighteen goals in his debut season with the MLS, and went on to score 23 the following season as he helped the Boys in Blue to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their history and claim the MLS’s Most Valuable Player Award in addition to the club’s player of the year award, which he also earned in 2015.

After the renewal, David Villa stated his delight with the club’s progress since its opening season.

“Three years ago, we started a very good project to build this amazing club,” said the Spaniard. “When I look back to those first days in 2014,it’ss really amazing to see how far we’ve come in such a short space of time and to know that there is do much potential for us to continue growing on and off the field.

“I’m so happy, so proud with everything we did together with NYCFC … I’m so proud to be part of NYCFC from the start.”

He then stated that his decision required little thought.

Signing this contract was a really easy decision for me,” Villa said.

Manager Patrick Viera and Sporting Director Claudio Reyna both stated that they were pleased to hear that the striker extended his contract.

“It’s good news for me,” Viera said. “It’s good news for the club…especially when you look at the way he’s been playing and the amount of goals he’s scored.”

“I’m personally really pleased that he’ll be with us,” he added.

“David’s been a fantastic player and representative for this club since day one,” said Reyna.

His career has produced remarkable success on individual, international, and club levels. Villa is currently the Spanish national team’s record goalscorer, with 59 goals in 97 appearances. In 2008, he won the European Cup with Spain and went on to win the World Cup two years later.

Villa has claimed more than his fair share of club honors. He has won Spanish Cup titles with Real Zaragoza and Valencia as well as with Barcelona, who he also helped to win two Spanish League titles, the 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League, 2011 Club World Cup, and 2010 and 2011 Spanish Super Cup trophies.

After he departed Barcelona, he won his third Spanish League title with Atletico Madrid in May of 2014 and reached the Champions League final with the capital club only to fall to city rivals Real Madrid.

Throughout his career, he has played on the same sides as Spanish legends Andres Iniesta, Xaxi, Raul, Iker Casillas, and Carles Puyol while he has also lined up with five-time player of the year Lionel Messi.

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Alexander Puri is eighteen years of age and currently resides in Manhattan, where he has lived for his entire life. He plans to pursue media studies when he attends Boston University as a freshman this September. Alexander is a passionate soccer fan and supports Juventus, Liverpool FC, and NYCFC. He watches these clubs play on a regular basis and has written multiple articles about all three teams. He normally spends his weekends watching the English Premier League before participating in pickup-soccer games in numerous fields throughout the city. Outside of sports, Alexander takes great interest to science fiction and fantasy franchises and often reads comics and watches films of such genres. For any inquires, you can reach him at alexarjun24@gmail.com